Just
two months after launching its automated workflow tool Flow, Microsoft
on Saturday, launched another alternative to IFTTT (If This Then That)
named Conditional Action Programmer. Only this time, it is not as
business-oriented as Flow, and you can even use your voice to tell CAP
what you want it to do.
For those who are unaware of the term,
IFTTT or If This Then That is a tool that connects several Web services
and apps, and allows users to create workflows that perform a function
if a certain condition is met.
Microsoft's new alternative for
IFTTT has been showcased for its use out of business world. The examples
mentioned are the likes of "Text me the forecast every week" and "Save
article to pocket".
Notably, CAP is an experimental project from Microsoft Technology and Research, and is available as an app for Android via Google Play, as well as on the Web. It is linked with
services like Office Pocket, SMS, Stocks, Weather, Office 365 email, and
OneDrive for Business.
The most unique thing about CAP when
compared with Flow is that it uses LUIS project to process natural
language. In order to set an automated workflow, all you need to do is
just give the command by speaking it aloud. The command is then
interpreted and developed in to the conditions and the goal required for
the workflow routine.
As the company has years of experience in
voice recognition, thanks to Cortana, the service seems to be working
fine according to reports.
However, website Neowin made
an
interesting observation that on signing up, Microsoft asks you to sign a
disclaimer that mentions how some "data may be retained by Microsoft
for up to 1 year for product improvement purposes." People with privacy
concerns might not be too willing to comply with this condition put
forward by the company and choose to stay away from this offering
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